Decisions to Make

Edit 5 …

Decisions to Make

  • How to manage iPads and how students will use iPads
    • Determine whether to use one device per student, or students share devices [cart in classroom with each student using one device - shared among all students of one teacher, small number of devices in each classroom shared by all students]
    • Link iPads to one or more computers using iTunes (useful for when a small set of iPads stays together (maybe a cart of 30, or a set of 5 for a classroom, etc.)
    • Use Apple Configurator to supervise iPads (useful for 1:1; can be used for cart based shared computers, but takes time) - also use MDM for filter and other management
    • Apple’s new method - use MDM only (we have not tried this since it just became available)

  • MDM solution to use - Meraki, Lightspeed, other?
    • Tested Meraki and trial version of Lightspeed
    • Lightspeed - it seems to be the best fit [$2500/year - $4/ipad - so up to 625 iPads for that price - lifetime is $20/iPad]
    • Trial runs out in 6 days - Order before trial ends
    • Features with iOS 6 - communications proxy can force all apps to go through the Rocket (not just the Lightspeed browser)
    • 4th Qtr - GeoTagging - when students are within one location, one profile can be used; in a different location, a different profile can be used - this would allow more freedom of use at home
    • Mobile Lock / App Lock - we can have several groups - for teachers - to restrict usage of certain apps (some of this may also work with LanSchooL)
  • Vendor for iPad carts - Apple/Bretford or local vendor (Intellerium - $100 cheaper - 8 were ordered). Note: About half of our iPad carts are the Bretford ones from Apple. The rest are from a local manufacturer, Intellerum. There are positives and negatives for both carts.
    • The Intellerum cart has a wider space for each iPad, so our cases fit in that cart (we have to remove two out of every three dividers in the Bretford carts).
    • The cables on the Bretford cart seem a bit sturdier (Intellerum uses Apple cables).
    • The Bretford cart has Sync/Charge lights on the back of the cart, they are in the front of the Intellerum cart (and you can see the light through the doors).
    • It is much easier to access the cables for replacement on the Intellerum cart (access through back of cart) - even the charge/sync board is replaceable (you need to remove dividers on the Bretford cart - access is through the front of the cart - no rear access).
    • Bretford carts have a rubber mat and lip on the top of the cart to prevent items form sliding off of the cart (we like this better), Intellerum carts have a smooth surface (teachers like this better).
    • Intellerum offers charge only or change and sync carts.
    • Overall, we prefer the Intellerum carts.
  • Profile details - restrictions, passcode required etc.
    • We decided to require passcode, but not immediately - to assist with any initial problems
    • Passcode will be 4 digits - student may select, but must give to teacher who has cart to store iPad (who shares info with tech office)
    • Turn off access to iMessage
  • Covers GMYLE (TM) Black 360 degrees Rotating Swivel Magnetic Smart Leather Stand Cover Case iPad 2
  • Reflection app site license pricing has been requested (now called Reflector)
  • Evaluation - using “Progress Evaluation Toolkit for 1 to 1 Learning Programs” from Apple. Surveys created with Constant Contact.
  • Teacher professional development - perhaps have teachers with iPad carts now spend time with 9th grade teachers; we had MS iPad pilot teachers help with this at Nov. in service; Maybe also do some training / sharing during day 2 collaboration; evening 'Apps and Appetizers' event provided for interested teachers.
  • Configurator
    • Supervised or not supervised? We need to supervise to get the inventory report - Yes, supervise
    • Sync all apps (paid and free), or just paid? Apple recommended to do this with all apps, so that is what we did.
    • Any time apps synced only with configurator make sure to re-upload apps to configurator each time they are updated with iTunes.
  • Create iTunes account that students will use when we push apps with MDM? No - have students create an iTunes account only useable for Free apps
  • Note: VBrick is integrated with iPads, perhaps we will have this in the future
  • Make sure to use one account to purchase all apps necessary. Have one iTunes account for each student or one generic account for all? Can we create these automatically? No - Apple would not do that - each student had to create an iTunes account. We also had to have our school IP address whitelisted for 30 days while doing the deployment so students could create accounts.
  • iOS 6 & no pwd required for download of free apps. Is username required? Best way to update iOS? We used Configurator to update iOS
  • Apps to include on iPads - TBD - We had a Google Spreadsheet to collaborate on the final list of apps to use
  • WebDAV is ready to go - (works with CyberDuck now - can be used with Windows)
  • Request that students Turn on Find My iPad
  • Include AUP as pdf on each device
  • Do we phase in rollout by team? Do certain rooms 1st block each day for so many days? Have loaner iPads for tweeners?
  • Label with each students’ name, which ipads go in which cart?
  • Logistics - how to get out of carts in morning, return in the afternoon.